An equipment for manufacturing semiconductor devices is disclosed. This equipment comprises a processing tool for processing a to-be-processed surface of a semiconductor workpiece to a target shape, and a monitor for three-dimensionally monitoring a shape of a processed surface of the semiconductor workpiece while the semiconductor workpiece is set in the processing tool. The monitor radiates the processed surface with incoherent light, divides light reflected from the processed surface, into a plurality of light beams of different wavelengths, acquires a two-dimensional image from each of the divided light beams of different wavelengths, three-dimensionally analyzes the shape of the processed surface, and transmits information on the analysis results to a controller. The controller controls the processing tool in a feedback manner on the basis of the information.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method of manufacturing semiconductor devices, comprising: processing a to-be-processed surface of a semiconductor workpiece to a target shape, using a processing tool; three-dimensionally monitoring, using a monitor, a shape of a processed surface of the semiconductor workpiece while the semiconductor workpiece is set in the processing tool; and controlling the processing tool in a feedback manner on the basis of the shape of the monitored processed surface, using a controller.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein if the shape of the processed surface deviates from the target shape, the controller adjusts process conditions of the processing tool so that the target shape can be obtained.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the processing tool is an etching tool for etching the to-be-processed surface, the monitor monitors an etching amount distribution of the processed surface, and the controller adjusts etching conditions of the etching tool if an etching amount of the processed surface deviates from a target etching amount, so that the target etching amount can be obtained.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the etching tool is one of a RIE tool and a CMP tool.
5. A method according to claim 2, wherein the processing tool is a film forming tool for forming a film on the to-be-processed surface, the monitor monitors a thickness distribution of the film, and the controller adjusts film forming conditions of the film forming tool if the film has a thickness deviating from a target thickness, so that the target thickness can be obtained.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the film forming tool is a CVD tool.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein if the shape of the processed surface does not reach the target shape, the controller controls the processing tool to re-process the processed surface.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein processing tool is an etching tool for etching the to-be-processed surface, the monitor monitors the shape of the processed surface after etching, and the controller controls the processing tool to re-process the processed surface if the shape after etching does not reach the target shape.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the etching tool is one of a RIE tool and a CMP tool.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the monitor radiates the processed surface with incoherent light, divides light reflected from the processed surface, into a plurality of light beams of different wavelengths, acquires a two-dimensional image from each of the divided light beams of different wavelengths, three-dimensionally analyzes the shape of the processed surface, and transmits information on analysis results to the controller.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
April 12, 1999
October 23, 2001
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